Is Sally Kern learning? The queen of judgemental Christianity in Oklahoma is taking her crusade to save "traditional marriage" to the next level, but this time it has nothing to do with gay bashing. In fact, this time, she is actually going after heteros.
This would probably be a good time to soak in the moment. Sally's introduction of House Bill 2279 is a momentous occasion in Lost Ogle history. It is the first time since the introduction of this website that Sally Kern has made a public statement that was in no way hateful to homosexuals. This is like the end of Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak, or the time Patrick turned down a beer. We may never see something like this again.
Now that your curiosity is piqued, HB 2279 is attempting to restrict divorce in Oklahoma. So, for everyone who argues that Kern was ignoring the biggest threat to marriage while instead focusing on gay marriage, this is actually an indication she might be listening. Of course, if her bill passes, she just might end marriage in Oklahoma completely. According to KOCO.com, this is what it would entail:
The bill would not allow for divorce on the basis of incompatibility if:
- There are living minor children of the marriage
- The parties have been married 10 years or longer
- Either party files a written objection to the granting of a divorce
Considering that a majority of marriages end in divorce (including 100% of marriages to Karl Rove, the man who launched a thousand campaigns to protect "traditional marriage," who was divorced from his second wife--of thirteen years--last month), the biggest hurdle to protecting the institution was getting those who enter into it to take it seriously. Kern's bill actually addresses this weakness. With the barrier for getting out of the marriage much more difficult to overcome, those who sign a marriage license would definitely have to think it through.
If a couple taking the vows of holy matrimony gets shackled to their partner with no out in the event they have children (a major factor in hasty marriages to begin with) or grow apart after more than ten years, only people incredibly committed to making a marriage work would ever follow through. Or else, you're going to see a lot of fake claims of spousal abuse to get out of the union.
So, if Representative Kern is sincere in her quest to keep marriages traditional and is willing to create a bunch of bastard children and see a rise of people "living in sin" as a result of the process, well played.
